CHAPTER VIII. 



THE STEM. 



1. As I read over again, with a fresh mind, the last 

 chapter, I am struck by the opposition of states which 

 seem best to fit a weed for a weed's work, stubbornness, 

 namely, and flaccidity. On the one hand, a sternness and 

 a coarseness of structure which changes its stem into a 

 stake, and its leaf into a spine ; on the other, an utter 

 flaccidity and ventosity of structure, which changes its 

 stem into a riband, and its leaf into a bubble. And be- 

 fore we go farther for we are not yet at the end of our 

 study of these obnoxious things we had better complete 

 an examination of the parts of a plant in general, by 

 ascertaining what a Stem proper is ; and what makes it 

 stiffer, or hollower, than we like it ; how, to wit, the gra- 

 cious and generous strength of ash differs from the spi- 

 nous obstinacy of blackthorn, and how the geometric and 

 enduring hollo wness of a stalk of wheat differs from the 

 soft fulness of that of a mushroom. To which end, I will 

 take up a piece of study, not of black, but white, thorn, 

 written last spring. 



